I have been off line for the last week because my Dad came down from CT to help me transform my yard.  It was my birthday present (for the next 5 years)—my Dad, manual laborer.  It was a perfect gift, because I would have never had the guts to rent a full sized backhoe and start tearing out trees in my yard.  But, like most men with big toys—my Dad jumped on board and started working right out of the car!  We worked solidly for six days.  We cut all of the undergrowth from our wooded lot.  We removed dead trees, and then chipped all the brush which proved to be a much bigger job than anything else! 

Afterwards, (and into this weekend) I am doing the finishing touches, like replanting and moving things around.  It was so much work, but so much fun to work along side my Dad this week.  Last Friday, I thought I would just let my Dad manage the backhoe, but, by the beginning of the week, we were fighting over it!  Having the right tool, does really make the job go quicker! 

Above is the front yard: before, below is the: after

This was from the front door looking toward the street. 

 

This is the backyard.  Before, the space was unusable, now the prettiest spot in the yard!

Moving to the other side of the backyard, you can see the transformation.  The huge double oak that fell a year and a half ago has been buried, and the timbers laid down for the kids to play on.  The massive double stumps had to be buried, because they were too heavy even for the full sized backhoe to move. 

This was quite a transformation.  It made my almost two acre lot, truly an almost two acre lot.  By leaving the large oak and hickory trees we have created a park-like canopy setting for our family to enjoy completely all day, every day.  Better than anything you could buy me in a store, this is a real gift from my parents.  Thanks Dad! 

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